Palestinian Minister for Security Affairs Mohammed Dahlan Saturday called for new elections for the Fatah central committee.

Dahlan told reporters Saturday that the previous elections were held 13 years ago, and that the committee has no means to make decisions in its current make-up.

Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) handed in his resignation to the Fatah central committee last week after its members criticized his policies.

Dahlan said, however, that Yasser Arafat is the only one capable of making decisions concerning reforms in the Fatah movement.

Meanwhile, Hamas activists attacked Palestinian police cars in the Gaza Strip after Dahlan's bodyguards shot and wounded a Hamas member, a Palestinian security source said on Saturday, according to AP. The attack took place in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, the source said.

Members of Yasser Fatah movement met Hamas leaders in Gaza Friday night and asked them to punish those responsible for the attacks. Hamas has yet to respond, the security source said. (Albawaba.com)